Glove to Resist Nocturnal Hand Curling

ABSTRACT

A device and method for preventing the inadvertent nocturnal clenching of the hand includes a glove, having coverings of the thumb, first, middle, ring finger, and pinky, said coverings extending at least to the middle and base segments of each of the user&#39;s fingers, and a planar glove insert having a shape of a projection of the hand, said insert including a projection of the palm, the thumb, and middle, and the base segments of each finger, so that when the insert is inserted into the glove between the palm of the user&#39;s hand and the palm of the glove, the hand is maintained in a extended position, with the fingers in the same plane as the palm.

DESCRIPTION RELATIVE TO THE PRIOR USAGE

The present method and device relates to the field of medical devices, and mores specifically, to devices used to prevent the involuntary closing or clenching of the hands during sleep, as frequently observed in nursing homes, and other institution where the elderly reside.

During such activity, an elderly person may close the fingers, as shown in FIG. 1, or ball up the fingers into a fist, as shown in FIG. 2.

This activity usually causes the person exhibiting such behavior a great deal of distress, and may be painful as well. Such a person may find it difficult to unclench the hand upon waking. This involuntary nocturnal behavior may be related to arthritis of the hand or fingers, and may exacerbate such an arthritic condition. It may also interfere with sleep.

The present method and device provides relief from such involuntary, nocturnal behavior. It is inexpensive and provides comfort to those afflicted with this behavior.

SUMMARY OF THE DEVICE

It is an objective of the present device to provide a means for preventing the involuntary clenching of the hands by persons in their sleeps. It is a further objective to provide such a solution which is inexpensive and comfortable.

In accordance with one aspect of the device, A device for preventing the inadvertent clench of the hand includes a glove, which contains coverings of the first, middle, and ring fingers, said coverings extending at least to the middle and base segments of each of the fingers, and a planar glove insert having a shape of a projection of the hand, the insert in the form of a projection of the palm, the middle, and the base segments of each finger.

In accordance with a second aspect of the device the insert is inserted into the glove between the palm of the user's hand and the palm of the glove.

In accordance with a second aspect of the device the fingers of the glove do not cover the tip segment of each finger.

In accordance with a third aspect of the device the palm of the insert extends to the base of the palm of the user's hand.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the device the glove is ventilated to prevent overheating of the user's hand.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the device the insert is perforated to further promote circulation of air within the glove.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the device the glove contains a pocket into which the insert is contained, providing a layer of padding between the user's hand and the insert.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the device the glove includes coverings of the thumb, first, middle, ring finger, and pinky, said coverings extending at least to the middle and base segments of each of said fingers.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the device the planar glove insert includes a projection of the palm, the middle, and the base segments of each finger.

In accordance with an eighth aspect of the device the fingers of the glove do not cover the tip segment of each finger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics of the device will become apparent from a description thereof for preventing the involuntary, nocturnal clenching of the hands as shown in the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of a partially clenched hand.

FIG. 1 b depicts a perspective view of a clenched hand, in which the fingers are pressed into the palm.

FIG. 3 depicts a view of a hand inserted into a first embodiment of the proposed device, viewing the palm of the right hand.

FIG. 4 depicts a view of a hand inserted into a second embodiment of the proposed device, viewing the back side of the right hand.

FIG. 5 depicts view of a hand inserted into a second embodiment of the proposed device, viewing the palm of the right hand.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the glove insert of a first embodiment of the proposed device.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the glove insert of a second embodiment aspect of the proposed device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a human hand, a normal human hand is shown in perspective, with the fingers slightly closed. The normal hand has a thumb 15, a first, or index finger 14, a second, or middle finger 13, a third, or ring finger 12, and a fourth, or pinky 11.

Each finger has three segments, as shown in FIG. 1A: the tip 18, or distal phalanx; the middle segment 17, or middle phalanx, and the base segment, 16, or proximal phalanx.

The nocturnal inadvertent clenching phenomenon is most uncomfortable when the person pushes the tip segments of the fingers into the palm of the hand. However, it has been found that the tip segments of the fingers will not bend very far if the middle and base segments of the fingers are maintained in the same place as the palm Thus, in the present device embodiments, a planar device is pressed against the bottom two segments of the fingers, preventing them from flexing, which also prevents the tip segments from flexing or curing very far.

The planar device in the present instance is a piece of flat plastic which mirrors the structure of the hand, when flattened with the fingers extended. Thus, one may think of a projection of such a hand onto a planar surface. Another way to describe the shape of this insert is to press the flattened hand, palm down, upon a piece of paper, and then sketch the hand on a piece of paper.

The planar insert is then fabricated in the shape of the projection of the flattened hand on a planar piece of material. The material may be plastic or sheet metal, but it is believed that a semi-rigid plastic is more pleasing to the touch, as it does not feel cold to the touch. However, in a further embodiment the glove may also contain a pocket between the palm side of the glove and the hand into which the the planar insert is inserted, and which provides a softer feel for the wearer.

A still further embodiment provides a soft “tip” at the end of each finger of the insert, so that the wearer is not uncomfortable if the tip of each finger folds inward about the end of the corresponding finger of the insert, which may irritate the fold between the tip and middle segment of the finger.

In the first embodiment the glove is made of a open weave fabric, so that the glove “breathes”, and does not cause the hand to be uncomfortably warm. The palm insert may also be perforated, so that the hand is not caused to sweat by prolonged contact with the insert.

The insert of the first embodiment may be seen by referring now to FIG. 6. The insert has three fingers, including 24, corresponding to the first, or distal finger, the second insert finger, corresponding to the second finger, and the third insert finger 22, corresponding to the third or ring finger. The insert base 20 should lie in proximity to the base of the user's palm when the insert has been placed within the glove.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the insert 2 has been placed within the glove 4 which, in this embodiment, does not contain a covering for the user's thumb 8 or pinky 6. The tips A of the glove fingers have been folded over and hemmed, providing some padding between the tips of the insert fingers and the fingers of the user. The insert itself is shown in phantom on this drawing, and is seen to fit snugly within the glove.

It is believed that this embodiment of the device provides extra comfort arising from the fact that neither the user's thumb nor pinky is covered by the glove. FIG. 2 shows a view of the back of the glove of this first embodiment with the user's hand inserted therein.

A second embodiment of the device may be understood by referring next to FIG. 7, which depicts the insert, which contains not only only insert fingers 31 through 34, corresponding to all the fingers of the normal human hand, but also an insert thumb 35, corresponding to the thumb of the normal human had.

Although this embodiment may not be as comfortable as the first embodiment, it is more efficacious for use with those persons having more severe forms of nocturnal hand clenching.

A glove with the insert of the second embodiment inserted therein is shown in FIG. 5, which depicts the palm of the glove 12 with the insert, in phantom, contained within. The glove of this embodiment resembles a normal glove, with the tips of each glove finger and the tip of the glove thumb missing. The base 10 of the insert is shown in proximity to the base of the palm of the user, and the thumb 8 and pinky of the user protrude beyond the limits of the glove fingers, as due the other user's fingers.

FIG. 4 shows the second embodiment of the present device as seen from the back of the glove. As in the first embodiment, the glove resembles an ordinary glove with the tips of the glove fingers missing.

While various aspects of the device have been set forth by the drawings and specification, it is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is for illustration only and that various changes in parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent constituents for those shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the device as set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A device for preventing the inadvertent clench of the hand, comprising: a. a glove, comprising coverings of the first, middle, and ring fingers, said coverings extending at least to the middle and base segments of each of said fingers; and b. a planar glove insert having a shape of a projection of the hand, said insert comprising a projection of the palm, the middle, and the base segments of each finger, wherein the insert is inserted into the glove between the palm of the user's hand and the palm of the glove,
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the fingers of the glove do not cover the tip segment of each finger.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the palm of the insert extends to the base of the palm of the user.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the glove is ventilated to prevent overheating of the user's hand.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the insert is perforated to further promote circulation of air within the glove.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the glove contains a pocket into which the insert is contained, providing a layer of padding between the user's hand and the insert.
 7. A device for preventing the inadvertent clench of the hand, comprising: a. a glove, comprising coverings of the thumb, first, middle, ring finger, and pinky, said coverings extending at least to the middle and base segments of each of said fingers; and b. a planar glove insert having a shape of a projection of the hand, said insert comprising a projection of the palm, the middle, and the base segments of each finger, wherein the insert is inserted into the glove between the palm of the user's hand and the palm of the glove,
 8. The device of claim 6, wherein the fingers of the glove do not cover the tip segment of each finger.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the palm of the insert extends to the base of the palm of the user.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the glove is ventilated to prevent overheating of the user's hand.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the insert is perforated to further promote circulation of air within the glove.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the glove contains a pocket into which the insert is contained, providing a layer of padding between the user's hand and the insert.
 13. A method for preventing the inadvertent clench of the hand, comprising: a. configuring a glove, comprising coverings of the first, middle, and ring fingers, said coverings extending at least to the middle and base segments of each of said fingers; configuring a planar glove insert having a shape of a projection of the hand, said insert comprising a projection of the palm, the middle, and the base segments of each finger; b. inserting the user's hand into the glove, and c. inserting the insert into the glove between the palm of the user's hand and the palm of the glove.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fingers of the glove do not cover the tip segment of each finger.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the palm of the insert extends to the base of the palm of the user.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the glove is ventilated to prevent overheating of the user's hand.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the insert is perforated to further promote circulation of air within the glove.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the glove contains a pocket into which the insert is contained, providing a layer of padding between the user's hand and the insert. 